Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Why do we put paper on our walls...or in this case...pretty tiles?

As Sarah and I started traveling around the city using NYC's extensive subway system we started taking pictures of the designs and tiling that are throughout the stations. I was reminded of something cultural writer Andy Crouch said at the "Transforming Culture" conference in April. Well, it was actually something he asked..."Why do we put paper on our walls or paint them in colors?" There seems to be no apparent need for us to do such things. Does it really advance our personal health to pick "Tangerine Orange" or "flocked" wallpapering (which Sarah really likes) to put on our walls?
Good questions. Stop and take a look at your walls. Are they all the same color? Do you have stuff hanging on them? Why?

I think the designers of the NYC Subway system knew something about human experience...humans need beauty. You need beauty. Imagine if all our walls were the same color? We need to get away from what author Robert Barron called "our beige existence" (thank you Ian, for introing me to Mr Barron's work).

Maybe you need to paint a wall or find a wallpaper you like and use it? It isn't an accident that the Jerusalem to come will be paved in gold and adorned in gleaming precious stones.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

A social moment on the summer project...

As I said we will be doing more updates since we've jumped right into the project here. The students arrive today but for the past two weeks we've been working with the project directors and the staff to get prepped for their arrival.

One of the days last week we had with the directors was a "day out" when we went to the Bronx Zoo. It was the first time we had been to the zoo and found it wonderfully enjoyable. this video moment below was a humorous moment in our day.

Enjoy,
Kirk and Sarah


Monday, June 9, 2008

Catching up...but first...

Hey all,

I know, I know it's been a while since we last updated you all. So much has happened that it would be impossible to catch up.

Sarah and I have been in NYC for over a week prepping with the staff for the arrival of the students for the Arts Summer Project for 2008. It is quite exciting as we have close to 30 students joining us this summer, almost double from last summer.

I've already collected a lot to put on the blog so you may see a an increase in postings here at birdandkey. Let me satiate your desires a little with a post on our web site http://www.birdandkey.com. We have put on our site my first ever sermon at Lamar Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, just east of Houston. Give it a listen, as I talked about the arts and the church. It was quite fun.


See you soon,
Kirk...and Sarah